Special Agent Maximilian

Undercover FBI #3

by Mimi Barbour

In this electrifying romantic suspense set in the steamy streets of New Orleans, Lieutenant Commander Nik Baudin, accidently meets up with an identical twin he never knew existed. When his brother Max goes missing, Nik assumes his identity as Special Agent Maximilian. This gives him access to FBI files making it easier to arrest the gangsters who attacked his brother and to stop their trafficking of underage girls. Being that Nik has specialized commando training, he's the perfect man for the job - that's if his PTSD doesn't kick in and leave him cowering in a corner.

Special Agent Maya Barnes can't believe it when she spots her partner, Max Foster, wandering along the French market without a care in the world. Since he'd been beaten and had gone missing weeks earlier, they all believed him dead. There's only one problem... though this man might look exactly like the missing agent, she knows differently. In all the years they've worked together, she's never wanted to have mind-blowing sex with her partner before.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Amazon, Suspense

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2015

About the author

Mimi is an incredibly busy NYT and USA Today award-winning, best-selling author who has nine series to her credit, as well as over 45 books and numerous multi-author box collections.

Mimi lives on the East coast of Vancouver Island with her pup, Charli, and writes her various romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye.

She’s been known to say: “If I can steal a booklover’s attention away from their every-day grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”

**1st place prize of the 2015 - Chanticleer Reviews - Clue Awards. Special Agent Francesca
**A TOUCH OF PASSION, has just become the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC for an honest review. What a great book. Maximilian Foster is a FBI agent in New Orleans, LA with is partner Special Agent Maya Barnes. Max disappeared weeks earlier leaving no clues. Maya is walking in the French Quarter and she sees someone that looks just like Max, but Maya knows this is not Max. She finds out that the person pretending to be Max, is actually his twin brother, Nik. He pretends to be his brother and to work with Maya on the case. They want the person who is in charge of the human trafficking ring. Julian keeps showing up What is Julian’s connection with Max’s disappearance and who is behind the human trafficking. To find out how the story ends, you will need to read. Mimi is a great storyteller infusing her book with humor car chases and attempted murder sprinkled with sizzling sex scenes. A great read for a lazy summer day .

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine finding out you had an identical twin you knew nothing about. 

A chance meeting brings Nik and Max together just in time for Max to disappear under suspicious circumstances. When Nik learns Max has been savagely beaten by the mobsters he's trying to build a case against, the brothers come up with a plan to have Nik go undercover-- as Max!

Maya Barnes can't believe when the partner she's been searching for suddenly shows up as though nothing has happened. Except Max isn't acting like himself. It doesn't take her long to guess something is going on. The chemistry between Nik and Maya is off the charts!

The author covers the sensitive subject of human trafficking with realism and empathy. This story is fast-paced with some fun twists and turns I didn't see coming. I loved the premise of two brothers finding each other after years apart. 

I give Special Agent Maximilian 5 lovely kisses- An entertaining read!

[Donna K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book. I sat down to read it and next thing I knew the book was done. I had read it cover to cover. i do not even know where to start. just read this book.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/4/2020)! 🎁

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series! Nik and Max are twins, that never knew of the others existence until they were adults. Max is an FBI agent in New Orleans that is in trouble and hiding out. He asks his identical twin Nik to take over for him while he recovers. Nik is in the forces, but is on leave for PTSD. Max’s partner spots Nik thinking it is Max. It doesn’t take her long to figure out he isn’t Max. She decides to keep his secret while they try to find the young girls brought over from Asia to be used as prostitutes.

I loved the chemistry between Nik and Maya. It is crazy how two people can look alike, but be so different in personalities. Nik likes helping Max, but has to keep his PTSD under control working in the field. Maya is a real kick a$$ woman. She has learned most of what she knows from her many step dads. There is so much going on in the book with a lot of action. I strongly encourage you to read the book.

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars. This is an action packed book where the FBI and the help of a Navy Commander take down the bad guys. I have read a few books where girl twins switch identities, but this is the first I read where the twins are men. After being injured FBI Agent Maximilian Foster, designs a plan with his newly found brother and identical twin, Nik Baudin. The plan is for Nik to take his identity and finish the case Max is working on. Max’s FBI partner, Maya Barnes, isn’t fooled long, as she was never physically attracted to her partner, but she certainly is to his brother. There are a few other surprises along the way involving Nellie and a interesting character that goes by Juli.
Overall this was a good but a little too long.

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 4/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tepid mystery about human trafficking takes a backseat to a juvenile romance. Nik discovers he has an identical twin brother, special agent Max. Max has been injured, missing and presumed dead by the FBI including his fiery partner, the beautiful Maya. With Max's blessing and assistance, Nik takes his place at the Bureau. Only Maya knows the truth. In the meantime, one of the trafficked girls is found dead and an annoying little man seems to be one step ahead of Maya and Nik. That could be because of his secrets or that Nik and Maya are more focused on getting naked than solving crimes. The villains are painfully obvious and stupid.

While there are some amusing moments this book did not do it for me. It was unsuspenseful and unbelievable. I felt no sense of urgency about the plight of the young girls. And all the secrets were silly. Seems Nik's PTSD was easily cured by exercising his libido. Some interesting moments but nearly enough to make it worth reading. Pass

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

With plenty of humor and suspense, Special Agent Maximilian is a winner. Nik and Max, twins who never knew the other existed, meet in a coffee shop. One brought up by each parent, they lived extremely different lives. Max is FBI; Nik is a LC in the navy seals, on leave at present due to PTSD. When Max is badly beaten, they are determined to find out what happened, and Max is hidden away to recuperate. Maya is FBI and Max's partner. She's not sure what to think about the disappearance of her partner. Their present case involves girls from different countries being brought into the country in containers and sold into prostitution. Nik becomes SA Maximilian, who is missing, believed to be dead. Maya knows Nik is not Max. After all, she's never been attracted to her partner like this before. With Nik and Maya working together to bring down the traffickers, and fighting their attraction at the same time, SA Maximilian is a treat to read, and Mimi Barbour portrays the gritty subject matter realistically with a deft hand. With twists, turns and misdirection abounding, this story is well-written, easy-to-read and sure to please.

[Emilie · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a newcomer to the Romantic Suspense genre, I was looking forward to reading this book, because it sounded very interesting. A man finds out he has an identical twin and then discovers he must impersonate his FBI agent twin in order to solve a crime, along with his twin's partner.
The story just started off rocky for me, however, and never really recovered. We were told a lot of things in the story--the twins' backstory, the personality traits of each character, the development of relationships--instead of being shown. That took away from the emotional connection to the story and the characters. Also the way the characters talked felt jarring and unnatural. There were way too many exclamation points at the end of statements, and things that just did not sound like something a normal person would say in the course of an actual conversation. The two main characters attraction to each other also felt very inorganic and forced. I found myself skimming by halfway through.
I would not recommend this book and will not read anyting by this author again. I was disappointed.

[ZanneP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you're a fan of the Vegas series, you'll really enjoy this one, #3 in the Special Agent series, only more. Much more.

Twin brothers, separated as children, too young to remember that the other one existed, meet by chance as adults and quickly assemble the puzzle pieces. The problems begin when one brother, Max a secret agent is nearly beaten to death by thugs involved in the human trafficking of young Asian girls. The other brother, Nik a Navy Seal, who is on leave due to PTSD, joins forces with Max's partner Maya. They work together to capture and eliminate the criminals all while falling in love,

This is a great cozy mystery with short chapters making it easy to read, tons of edge of the seat moments to keep you reading, and a happy ending.

There are several typos but I never blame the author for that.

I would highly recommend any of the Vegas or Special Agent collection.

[cindy ost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love this author and series

I will definitely recommend this series to any one. It's a very nice read. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Swan Bender · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was highly unlikely and a bit unbelievable along with not being so greatly written. There were parts I enjoyed but, BUT it was hard to ignore everything else.

[R Huiszoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mimi Barbour, ‘Special Agent Maximilian’.
Undercover FBI Book #3.

Rating: 4 stars (of 5).

In general: Fast moving romantic suspense story.

Main characters:
- Special FBI Agent Maya Barnes.
Working and living in New Orleans. Independent woman standing firm in a man’s world.

- Special Agent Max(imilian) Baudin Foster.
Maya’s partner. Missing during a FBI investigation of gangsters involved in under aged girls trafficking. Charming and good looking womanizer. Maya hates that behavior but admires his skill as an agent.

- Lieutenant Commander Nik Baudin.
Ex Navy SEAL (Iraq), suffering from PTSD. For a long time it was unknown to him that he had a brother. Very short before Max’ disappearance he learned that Max was his twin brother. Nik assumed his brother’s name so he can have the power of the FBI helping him in finding back his missing twin.

The first meeting between Maya and Nik isn’t a success. Maya thinks he’s her missing partner Max who disappeared without telling her. And the moment she sees him again after some weeks, acting as if nothing special happened, she’s very angry and knocks him down. But when Nik pretends he suffered from amnesia, Maya softens. After some time Nik confesses to her that he’s Max twin and she promises to help him acting as Special Agent Max. Together they investigate the girls trafficking case that Max worked on.
Then the author, Mimi Barbour, creates a fast moving story with unexpected twists and turns, interesting additional characters and exciting action scenes. In between she describes how Maya and Nik gradually fall in love. For me a nice, easy to read page turner.

R.Huiszoon.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one just didn’t quite work for me the way I thought it was going to. I really like Nik. This is a hero that I felt could have stepped out of one of Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters books; military special operator on a joint mission with the FBI – it’s not a long stretch. Maya was a little too much for me. Too independent, too skilled at everything, too accepting. The whole side story that swoops in to save the day in the end was a step beyond plausible disbelief for me. That felt far too much like the author was playing Puppetmaster to make the story work. I was also very frustrated by the number of times Nik was called by the wrong name for the circumstances. He’s called “Max” by author around characters who only know him as Nik, he’s called “Nik” in scenes where if it comes out he isn’t Max, there’s going to be a world of trouble to answer for. Now, after three books, there are some things about the series I’m noticing. I’m not sure if it’s realistic that the head honcho is always the Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge, and it’s been a new character with every book. I’m also getting a little irritated by the author’s inability to simply call eyes “eyes” and be done with it. What’s the point behind calling them “shockers”? ‘Cause I just don’t get it. And where this book stops makes me want to commit murder. Since all the books in this series are supposed to be stand-alone stories, where am I going to find out what happens next after this brand-new twist that was introduced in the final paragraphs?

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent Maximilian is the third book in the Undercover FBI Series, but can be read completely as a stand alone. Maya is working on busting up a prostitution ring, but when her missing partner shows up, she notices immediately that he’s not who he seems. Nik found a long lost brother just in time to impersonate him to help with the case, but will Maya and Nik be able to save the missing girls in time, or will they draw the attention and danger before they can figure out their own emotions and future?

I have really enjoyed each of these books in this series, but Nik and Maya’s adventure was a lot of fun to read! I love that Nik was trying to be his twin brother Max! It added a fun element for the story, or trying to see what Max would do, how he would dress and act and respond to things, and then of course, fighting his feelings towards Maya! Maya is brave and has a big heart towards those she’s trying to save, and I loved that she wasn’t afraid to put herself in danger to help those she loves. I loved their connection and tension and I thought it was amusing how at first, they kept getting interrupted! Juli was an interesting character, too! I was so curious about who he was, what his connection to everything was, and who his mysterious boss was (I was honestly surprised as to who!), and all in all, I just really enjoyed reading this book! It was fun and engaging!

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprise this story turned out to be. The lead character, Max, had only a minor part to play, albeit a very important part. When he learns he has a brother, and his twin learns he has a brother, too, the adventure really begins. And then there is Maya, Max's partner, who takes on Nik as a substitute partner when Max is severely beaten by the gang they had been hunting. Nik turns out to be able to use his military combat skills to full advantage to fill the shoes of his FBI agent brother.

There is intrigue aplenty with scumbags preying on innocent girls from Thailand and Singapore, kidnapping them to bring them to the U.S. where they are made to be prostitutes. This turns Maya's stomach and she is glad to have NIk to help her crack the case, And their little friend Justin turns out to be invaluable at not only helping them, but more importantly helping the girls to be set free and sent home.

And the best part is the way the relationship between Maya and Nik grows, with Nik developing a greater appreciation for Maya's many skills as an agent, and eventually both of them appreciating each other's skills in bed. This is a heartwarming story, filled with tense moments, but also humor and romance!

[Tracey Cramer-Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had a lot going for it. Identical twin brothers, who didn’t know each other existed, finding each other. A special forces commander with PTSD. An FBI agent beaten and ‘missing.’ Young girls being sold into prostitution. And, of course, a romance.

In fact, there was so much going on that we didn’t get to ‘go deeper’ on any one aspect of the story (for example, Nik’s PTSD). It gave me the feeling of being rushed through when I wanted to go deeper. And some things just didn’t make sense, even after the mystery was solved. Unfortunately, some editing issues also got in the way. I found myself confused several times (case in point: the end of one chapter, she is giddy with laughter, the next page, crying on Nik’s shoulder… two extremes with nothing happening in between).

I liked all the action, and the way the hero/heroine ‘took turns’ being the strong one (and how Nik’s PTSD would crop up) and eventually came together. I liked Maya’s kick-butt character. Had the author taken more time to develop the characters I would have enjoyed this story immensely. Wish I could give a 3.5!

[Pansy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like cop stories. Doesn't matter if it is in the books I read or on TV. They seem to be a staple in my 'get-away' repertoire. Therefore, I consider myself a bit knowledgeable about the genre. I am finding the Undercover FBI series entertaining, if not exactly believable. They are like my favorite cop shows on TV - also not always believable - with their 'murder-of-the-week' formulas. Case given. Clues searched out. Some kind of action. Maybe some sexual tension along the way for spice. Case solved until next week. Unless there happens to be an overarching theme that takes all season to resolve, all the threads are tied up in neat bows by the end of the show. There is nothing wrong with the formula. It is great for escapism. So really, this comparison is meant as a compliment rather than criticism. Total escapism.

Special Agent Maximilian offered a bit more to the formula. Loved that extra twist that happened in this story. Totally fun! What separates this from TV drama is the 'sexual tension.' In a book is gets to also be resolved by the end of the story. Very nice.

I have to say, this is my favorite in the series so far. Well done.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max & Nic never knew that the other existed They may be identical twins but each was brought up by a different parent and each has a different career path Nic is a Lieutenant Commander in the Seals who is on medical leave due to PTSD while Max is an agent with the FBI. When a chance meeting throws them together in a coffee shop tto say they are stunned is an understatement. Shortly after Nic is badly beaten and Nic steps up to replace him on a case of human trafficking. Maya knows that there is something different about her partner in fact she isn't even sure if he is her partner because there has never been this electricity between her and Max all the time they have worked together. Will Maya realise she is working with her partners twin Will they solve the case and will love blossom betwen the two of them. Another great read from the very talented Mimi Barbour her books are always great reads with a wonderful mix of suspense intrigue and romance

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts I really enjoyed and parts that didn't quite work for me as they left me with questions or a bit confused and lost as to what was happening or why things were happening. I enjoyed Maya and Nik's relationship and thought they both were great characters and wanted to see what would happen next for them. The ending just did not work for me, it just seemed to stop when I felt there should have been more and if I'm honest it felt more like a cliff hanger ending when this is supposed to be a standalone book in the series. I thought Maya and Nik deserved a better ending and another proof read is in order as I noticed a time or two when Nik and Max were used incorrectly in the story which really shouldn't have happened considering what was happening in the story at the time, this is why I've only rated this book 3.5 stars. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an ARC.

[Floraljoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Double down for a suspense filled read:
Wow, a fast paced action filled ride that will have you chuckling one minute and gasping the next. I was instantly drawn in and loved the plot's complexity and unpredictability.
It was fun seeing Nik stumble along and grow into his impersonation of Agent Max, although I thought this aspect should have been played up more as he was sure to have made more blunders in the unfamiliar setting of the FBI. Maya was also a little too skilled in a lot of different areas and I don't know why authors have to make their heroes/heroines absolutely perfect in just about everything and not more human like us mere mortals! I also found it annoying that everyone kept calling one another "sugar".
Despite that, it was still an enjoyable light read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in the Undercover FBI series by Mimi Barbour was another entertaining thrill ride of action, suspense, and of course hot romance combined with a lot of sex. This story was all about the importance of family as the members struggle with their own moments of regret and sorrow on their way to becoming a whole family unit again as old heart walls were weakened and torn down to allow hope and love in once again. It was also a story about the courage and commitment to a single cause which was to halt the trafficking of underage girls into the US from other countries. Did I mention the romance, and the love and the sex, oh yeah, there will always be sex in Ms. Barbour's books, to be sure. I am so looking forward to the next book in this super series. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story here is not bad. I liked the characters and the surprises. The problem with this book is the editing. There were a lot of misplaced words and a whole chapter (69) was repeated; a good editor would have caught that. The next problem was the dialogue. It was awkward and unrealistic; it just didn’t fit the characters. Then, there were a lot of sugars, and darlin’s and babes, etc. that just didn’t fit. The way this was written was really awkward. I liked the story but it was an uncomfortable read. Don’t know what else to say. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Cariadne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like I stepped in the middle of a series with what was called a standalone. Admittedly, it is part of a series, but none of the stories seem connected, based on my research on reading their back cover summaries. This particular story had all sorts of things going on -- long lost twins, human trafficking, why do people want so-and-so out of the picture, on and on -- and I was a bit lost with all the stuff being thrown at my reader head.

What kind of worked in its favor because there was some zaniness was the retro feel, like something from a black and white film from the 30's or 40's. It was interesting to get that feel in a modern story.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twins

The third standalone addition to the series features twins, Max and Nic Baudin, raised separately since age two. Nic is a Navy SEAL on leave while he sorts out his life with PTSD. He is in New Orleans when he runs into a man who looks exactly like him. He learns Max is an FBI agent in hiding from local goons who are after evidence Max has collected against them. When Max is kidnapped and nearly killed, Nic agrees to take his place as an agent to help with the case. And Nic has some of the skills needed to succeed. He just has to convince Max's partner, Maya, that he's the real deal.

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well written, has amazing storyline and characters that kept me on the edge of my seat. You get danger, secrets, mystery, suspense, action, surprises and twists. Nik is suffering from PTSD and had to leave is Navy Seals due to his condition. He is a lieutenant commander has special forces and black ops training. He goes to New Orleans and finds out he is a twin and his mother is alive. Maya is a special agent with the FBI and her partner Max turns up missing. This suspenseful read was a great addition to the Undercover FBI series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Whispers From · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nik was in the military but after an accident he’s on leave. He stops into a coffee shop and sees a man who is identical to him. Max, the twin, is a FBI agent. When Max is beating within an inch of his life, Nik takes his place to find out where some trafficked girls are being held. Maya, is Max’s partner and knows right off Nik is not Max. They work together to find the trafficking ring and and stop them from selling them off.

Not a big review but don’t want to reveal any spoilers. Plenty of action. It is one roller coaster of a ride. Sometimes it confused me when the h/h dialogue would run together just a little bit. There is a slight cliffhanger so beware.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

So it was actually my first book reading from the author and since it was a stand alone I said to heck with it. I really was intrigued with the synopsis and loved the story! I will definitely continue to read more of the author's books. The only thing I didn't like was the ending, I mean come on! You can't just leave it like a cliffhanger if it's over. I want to know what happens with Maya, Nik, Max, and Linda. The author can even do a story about what happened before with Max and Linda and a story of Nik running the company. I'm satisfied with the story because it was good but I'm unsatisfied with the ending.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, fast ride in New Orleans while tracking sex traffickers. Nik is enduring PTSD from being deployed overseas as Navy SEAL special ops and has just found his twin brother he never knew about when life spins out of control. I recommend this to anyone who likes their romance with a side of danger, murder, and general mayhem. This would have been a 4 star review except for the ending. Since this is the first book I’ve read by Mimi Barbour, I will be going back reading the others in this series.